Favourite India defeated Nepal 3-0 to win the first ever South Asian Regional Badminton Tournament (team championship) here on Tuesday.
India did not lose a single match en route to the final, and it continued its good run by drawing first blood in the boys’ singles competition. Aryaman, ranked third in India (Under-19), beat Dipesh Dhami 21-9, 21-15 to give the host the early impetus.
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Ashmita Chaliha continued the Indian juggernaut; she eased her way to a 21-9, 21-6 win over Rashila Maharjan in the girls’ singles event. Ashmita, who has been picked up by the North Eastern Warriors for the upcoming edition of the Premier Badminton League, barely broke a sweat and registered a comprehensive victory to double India’s lead.
Comeback
In the boys’ doubles event, the pair of Arintap Dasgupta and Krishna Prasad G. had to stave off a challenge from Nepalese duo of Dipesh Dhami and Nabin Shrestha. Nepal started off well, winning the first game 21-19. However, the Indians came back stronger and won the next two games 21-14, 21-11 to seal the deal for the Indian contingent.
Sanjay Mishra, the Indian junior badminton coach, was happy with the win. He said, “It was a great performance by the squad and we are happy with the way they played. It was as easy as the results show. Nepal are a good team and I am really happy that the team executed the plans as had discussed.”
With the team championship over, the individual competition will commence from Wednesday.
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